Obama 2008

By Associated Press &nbsp|&nbsp

Posted: Sun 12:21 AM, Feb 11, 2007

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Barack Obama announced his bid forpresident Saturday, a black man evoking Abraham Lincoln's abilityto unite a nation and a Democrat portraying himself as a fresh facecapable of leading a new generation. "Let us transform this nation," he told thousands shivering inthe cold at the campaign's kickoff.

Obama, 45, is the youngest candidate in the Democrats' 2008primary field dominated by front-runner Sen. Hillary Rodham Clintonand filled with more experienced lawmakers. In an address from thestate capital where he began his elective career 10 years ago, thefirst-term U.S. senator sought to distinguish himself as a staunchopponent of the Iraq war and a White House hopeful whose lack ofpolitical experience is an asset.

"I know I haven't spent a lot of time learning the ways ofWashington. But I've been there long enough to know that the waysof Washington must change," Obama said to some of the loudestapplause of his 20-minute speech.

Obama is looking to cap his remarkable, rapid rise to prominencewith the biggest political prize of all - the presidency. Hiselective career began just 10 years ago in the IllinoisLegislature. He lost a bid for a U.S. House seat, then won theSenate seat in 2004, a relatively smooth election made easier byGOP stumbles.

In his speech, Obama did not mention his roots as the son of aman from Kenya and a woman from Kansas, his childhood in Hawaii andIndonesia or the history he would make if elected. That compellingbiography has turned him into a political celebrity.

Instead, he focused on his life in Illinois over the past twodecades, beginning with a job as a community organizer with a$13,000-a-year salary that strengthened his Christian faith. Hesaid the struggles he saw people face inspired him to get a lawdegree and run for the Legislature, where he served eight years.

He tied his announcement to the legacy of Lincoln, announcingfrom the building where the future 16th president served in thestate Legislature. "We can build a more hopeful America. And that is why, in the shadow of the Old State Capitol, where Lincoln once called on a house divided to stand together, where common hopes and commondreams still live, I stand before you today to announce mycandidacy for President of the United States of America," Obamasaid. His voice rose to a shout as he spoke over the cheers fromthousands who braved temperatures in the teens.

"I know it's a little chilly, but I'm fired up," Obama said ashe took the podium with his wife Michelle and daughters Malia, 8,and Sasha, 5, with U2's "City of Blinding Lights" blaring on thespeakers.

After the speech, the family, several dozen members of the mediaand the new campaign staff boarded a plane - "Obama One," aflight attendant called it - for Iowa, where Democrats arescheduled to have the first chance to vote for the nominee. Thesenator and his wife greeted reporters in the back of the plane,but Obama insisted he just wanted to say hello and didn't want tobe quoted.

"I'm in it to win it," Obama declared at a rally in Waterloo,borrowing what has been the signature line of Clinton's earlycampaign.

Earlier, at a town hall meeting in a packed high school gym inCedar Rapids, Obama spoke for an hour but only had time to takefive questions from the audience, covering foreign affairs, defenseand education. The audience groaned when he said he had to leave,but he promised to return.

Obama gained national recognition with the publication of twobest-selling books, "Dreams From My Father" and "The Audacity ofHope," and by delivering the keynote address at the DemocraticNational Convention in 2004 - the same year he was elected to theSenate. His optimistic message and personal story immediatelysparked talk of his White House potential.

Brenda and Michael Talkington, who live near Muncie, Ind., saidthey have never been involved in a political campaign, but bothwere laid off from jobs with a lighting company and plan tovolunteer for Obama. They got up at 4:30 a.m. to make the speech.

"He makes you feel like it is possible to change things,"Brenda Talkington said.She seemed to be reading from Obama's playbook.He spoke of reshaping the economy for the digital age, investingin education, protecting employee benefits, insuring those who donot have health care, ending poverty, weaning America from foreignoil and fighting terrorism while rebuilding global alliances. Buthe said the first priority must be to end the war in Iraq.

"It's time to admit that no amount of American lives canresolve the political disagreement that lies at the heart ofsomeone else's civil war," he said. He noted that he was againstthe invasion from the start.

Obama talked how previous generations have brought change -fighting off colonizers, slavery and the Great Depression,welcoming immigrants, building railroads and landing a man on themoon."Each and every time, a new generation has risen up and donewhat's needed to be done," he said. "Today we are called oncemore - and it is time for our generation to answer that call."

Obama said it is because of Lincoln that Americans of every raceface the challenges of the 21st century together."The life of a tall, gangly, self-made Springfield lawyer tellsus that a different future is possible," Obama said. "He tells usthat there is power in words. He tells us that there is power inconviction. That beneath all the differences of race and region,faith and station, we are one people. He tells us that there ispower in hope." --- Associated Press writers Deanna Bellandi and John O'Connorcontributed to this report. --- On the Net: Barack Obama campaign site: http://www.barackobama.com

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